Invisible buffers

[davidbird]

Is there such a thing as a set of invisible buffers?
I have a large yard and intend placing the scenery spline of box vans on some of the tracks, to populate the place, also in another location using the "BR Mk 1 track".
As these are scenery items, I need to stop AI drivers from driving along the siding and through them!
So I need invisible buffers!
I have heard them mentioned in andi06's station kit tutorials, where he suggests using both dummy buffers and invisible buffers to allow AI to stop prototypically close to the end of a platform, but I can't seem to find them anywhere.
Anybody point me in the right direction please?

 

[andi06]

You could try <kuid:108959:24001>

 

[big_b]

Is there such a thing as a set of invisible buffers?
I have a large yard and intend placing the scenery spline of box vans on some of the tracks, to populate the place, also in another location using the "BR Mk 1 track".
As these are scenery items, I need to stop AI drivers from driving along the siding and through them!
So I need invisible buffers!
I have heard them mentioned in andi06's station kit tutorials, where he suggests using both dummy buffers and invisible buffers to allow AI to stop prototypically close to the end of a platform, but I can't seem to find them anywhere.
Anybody point me in the right direction please?

When using these don't actually make an operating turnout hold the shift key & place the track to make a false turn.Nothing will go down it The turn in the LHS of this pic is for scenery only & has scenery items on it including the scenery lever.

Dave

 

[Tokkyu40]

That's the best solution. I'm not sure how buffers work anyway. I know they act as signals to signal a permanent red to stop the AI (artificial stupidity) drivers from running off the end, but I'm not sure what else they do.
It's best to fake the connection where you don't want drivers to take the trains so there's no actual physical route for them to follow.

Claude

 

[omber]

Buffers are at the end of trains I think mainly in Europe. Its the beam with two prongs sticking out, its used to protect cars (Wagons) from hitting one another during breaking and going around curves or going down hill. They are there because couplers used in Europe are not rigid - they are usually similar to a chain, unlike American couplers which are rigid and allow for very little forward/backward movement. Buffer you are talking about is a beam that is used basically to signal where the track ends .. I think the stuff with the actuall buffer prongs can be used to stop slowly moving wagons, I know I've seen some pneumatic buffers so I guess atleast those are used for that reason..

 

[davidbird]

I know they act as signals to signal a permanent red to stop the AI (artificial stupidity) drivers from running off the end, but I'm not sure what else they do.
It's best to fake the connection where you don't want drivers to take the trains so there's no actual physical route for them to follow.

Claude

Not always! In my messing about with buffers, I've discovered that if you have 2 sets on the same track, the first set will show (as seen in mini-map view) a yellow...

Think I'll probably use the "fake connection" method, that seems to be best...

Thanks for all your help

 

[lewisner]

David, for Invisible buffers I use "Prellbrock Unsichtbar".Theres a set of Hydraulic Buffers on the DLS which actually are solid- if you try to drive through them at 90 MPH the train will telescope!.

 

[teddytoot]

As buffers are type mosignal you can use norfolksouther37's invisible signal (2:45324:24010:1). Also Whitepass has some US boxcars which are mosignals although I think you are after a UK solution.

 

[davidbird]

Thanks for all your help.

You could try <kuid:108959:24001>

Thats the "Tram Buffer Invisible". I found this rather hard to use, as the Surveyor-visible part actually appears below track level, and is very hard to see, even with textures turned off, when there are several tracks close together

...for Invisible buffers I use "Prellbock Unsichtbar".Theres a set of Hydraulic Buffers on the DLS which actually are solid- if you try to drive through them at 90 MPH the train will telescope!.

No wonder I didn't find them when searching for "invisible" or "buffers"! Do you have a link to these hydraulic buffers please?

As buffers are type mosignal you can use norfolksouther37's invisible signal (2:45324:24010:1). Also Whitepass has some US boxcars which are mosignals although I think you are after a UK solution.

I have an invisible signal, though not this one. I think that, whether using invisible signal or buffers, the track will need to be broken after the signal, to force it into a permanent red - even buffers will "display" yellow if there is another signal/buffers after them. The disadvantage of just using a signal would be that it can still be SPADed (Signal Passed At Danger), ie. driven past and off the end of the siding, while a bufferstop will actually stop a slowmoving train (now that TRS2006/SP1 has fixed it!)

I have also found an "Invisible Stop Sign". However, this just seemed to derail the train, no matter how slow it was going.

Think I'll use the "fake connection" method, and "Prellbock Unsichtbar" where I still need half a siding...

Thanks again everyone.

 

[davidbird]

Buffers are at the end of trains I think mainly in Europe. Its the beam with two prongs sticking out, its used to protect cars (Wagons) from hitting one another during breaking and going around curves or going down hill. They are there because couplers used in Europe are not rigid - they are usually similar to a chain, unlike American couplers which are rigid and allow for very little forward/backward movement. Buffer you are talking about is a beam that is used basically to signal where the track ends .. I think the stuff with the actuall buffer prongs can be used to stop slowly moving wagons, I know I've seen some pneumatic buffers so I guess atleast those are used for that reason..

In UK railway terminology "Buffers" means two things.
1. A Stop-Block across the end of a dead-end track to stop trains running off the end. It is this use that we are talking about in this thread.
2. Spring-loaded "Shock Absorbers" at the end of locos, coaches and wagons. Used to safely transmit a pushing force to the wagons because, as you correctly say, UK couplings (unlike US ones) are not rigid. Passenger coaches do have rigid buck-eye (knuckle) couplers, but most locos don't, so buffers are fitted to all coaches. The exceptions are coaches (and some freight wagons) that are designed to run in fixed formations such as the "2nd generation" Sprinter DMUs and the Mk3 coaches for the HST/InterCity125 trains.

A few pictures, taken earlier today (June 13th) at my local station, Mallaig.

1. Buffers "Stop-Block" are usually just a metal (old rails) or timber beam mounted across the track end. Note the red lights, 2 on left side, one on right.

2. Buffers "Shock absorbers" are mounted at the ends of almost every UK rail vehicle.

3. The buffers(Shock absorbers) transmit pushing forces between loco and coaches.

4. Just to confuse things, sometimes the buffers (stop-block) have buffers (shock absorbers), these are old wagon buffers.